West Chester Picked To Win The PSAC East

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – West Chester University was slated as the unanimous choice for preseason favorite in the Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, according to the preseason coaches' poll released Monday afternoon.
 
West Chester is coming off an 8-3 campaign overall in 2016 while finishing 6-1 in conference play and in second place in the league standings to defending champion Kutztown. The Golden Bears were slated second behind the Golden Rams, who garnered all eight first-place votes to finish in the top slot. Shippensburg was third and Bloomsburg fourth. East Stroudsburg was picked fifth with Lock Haven, Millersville and Cheyney following, respectively.
 
In the West, Indiana (Pa.) was the preseason favorite, pulling down six of the eight first-place votes. California (Pa.) grabbed the other two first-place nods and finished second in the preseason poll. Defending PSAC champion, Slippery Rock, was slated third with Edinboro picked to finish fourth and Gannon fifth. Seton Hill, Clarion and Mercyhurst followed in succession.
 
West Chester and head coach Bill Zwaan return 20 starters from a year ago, including 10 All-PSAC selections. The Golden Rams bring back nine starters on offense, including 1,000-yard rusher Jarel Elder, seven starters on defense and all four special teamers. Six of the all-leaguers were first-team selections in 2016.
 
West Chester opens the 2017 slate at home on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. against Bentley inside John A. Farrell Stadium.